Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-10-13

melancholy. could not breathe coniorta-
bly. | was abont 10 set ont for home, how
ever, for IL was late aud my house was some
distance but they insisted that | should
stay. IL would be foolish 10 expose myself
! To such tempest, when ! was not feeling
well the mother begged me with such
grace that felt forced to remain and pass
the night In that hospitable house. They
tremendously conducted me 10 my room,
and there wished me good night. remem.
Der, even, that Lizzie having fallen asleep
| in her fathers arms, ! kissed her little
cheek paled by sleep, aud her dimpled little
| arms.
Left alone, began 10 undress slowly and
wandering about the room, as one always
does when one sleeps in "A strange place
felt as IL should smother in the close at
mosphere of the room. Before getting in
| bed, | wanted 10 inhale little of the out
side air, and in spite of the roaring storm,
tried 20 open the window. 1t was n false
| window.
"well, well - exclaimed, n little sur
] prised.
thought would remove the chimney
| screen it was false chimney. / rushed
| t. the door-it was locked Fear seized
me, and. holding my breath, / listened.
| The house was quiet all seemed TO be as
leep. Then inspected the room carefully,
straining my ears for the least sound. On
the floor, near the bed, noticed spots it
was blood-dried and blackened blood /
| shuddered, and n cold sweat stood out on
my fore head. Blood ! Why should there
be blood there And / saw that n whole
sea of blood must have been split therefor
a great space around the hard wooden floor
had been freshly scrubbed and scraped.
| All at once cried out Under the bed ]
had seen man, stretched out, motionless
rs an overturned statue. / could not cry or
call out. With trembling hands touched
the man. He did not move. With tremb-
ling hand pushed the man he did not
move. With trembling hands ! seized the
feet and drew him forth-he was dead His
neck had been cleanly cut, with one
stroke of razor, and the head held TO the
trunk by slender ligament.
/ thought should 90 mad. But some
thing must be done-the assassin might
come at any moment. ! raised the body 20
place it on the bed. l made n false step,
and the livid head turned over swung 10
and fro for a moment like "A hideous pendn-
lnm, and then, detached from the trunk,
fell on the floor with a dull sound. With
great difficulty introduced the decapitated
trunk between the sheets picked up the
head and placed il on the pillow like that
Of sleeping man, and, having blown out
the candle, slipped under the bed. l did
all this mechanically, without thought of
defense or safety it was instinct that
prompted me, not intelligence or reflection.
My teeth chartered. My hands were wet
with thick moisture. / felt as if ! had
gone 10 bed in n charnel-house.
. remained there in that awful fear, min
utes, is'Ass, I.lonths. years. centnries-I do
not know how long. lost all idea of time
and place. All was silent. From without
the noise of the storm and the whistling oi
the wind came 10 me softened and sad.
like means. could not picture TO myself
1
there perhaps. In that state of horror,
could see only little Lizzie, fair, rosy and
frank, with her doll and her great hat
could see her sleeping in her fathers arms
now and then she lightly raised her eyelid'
and disclosed her eyes, which seemed to me
TO be bold implacable, cruel, muderous.
The door opened, but as softly as the
scratching of mouse. l bit my lip till thu
blood came, to keep from crying out. Now
a man stepped in with gliding tread, will
, infinite precautions 10 avoid touching the
furniture 1t seemed to me as If could SEE
the cruel, clutching fingers gliding over my
+, clothes, searching my pockets. Then th'
steps came nearer, seemed 10 Craze me.
felt that the man was bending over th'
bed, that he struck one fierce blow. Then
knew nothing more.
When l recovered consciousness, the
room had become silent again. But frigh
held me nailed to the spot. At length de
cided to escape, with what caution you may
imagine. On tiptoe I gained the door
which had been closed. Not a sound, not {
breath. Feeling my way, passed into the
hall. waited to see head thrust sudden
ly from out the shadows, knife CLEAN in
|, the dark. But no-the brute, glutted Will
crime slept without remorse. / descendet
, the stairs, drew the bolt of the door, and
half fainting, with the blood frozen into my
veins, fell into the gutter of the desertet
street.
Doctor Bertram had listened to my recita
with the deepest interest.
"And there found you, Mr.. Furniss, an'
in what state Could you recognize tho
house 2"
eyes" replied "but TO what end -
"well, let me cure you, and then we shal
90 together to the house of these assassins.
a Eight days later the doctor and stood il
I Lower Abbey street. l recognized the ter
rible house. All the blinds were drawn
I inside of the door n placard was placed
bearing the legend ''To Let"
inquired of the former residents from
r neighbor.
4 "They have been gone month or more,
!. she replied. 'It's n great pity, for the
4 were very nice people. - Translated. for III
Argond,t, from the French Of Octdce Nh
beau.
y A couple were riding out in the country
y when they passed. barnyard in whic
+ were two calves. The young lady observed